The report claims that the Addicks did make an approach for Nombe earlier in the transfer window and were willing to front £500,000 to sign the player but Exeter are holding out for £1 million.
Nombe was the goalscorer for Gary Caldwell’s side last season, bagging 17 goals and registering nine assists in all competitions as the Grecians comfortably finished mid-table, 11 points clear of the drop zone.
It has been circulating on social media that Nombe has completed his move to The Valley, but Richard Cawley from the SLP has clarified that there has been no agreement between the two clubs as of yet.
Nombe was the goalscorer for Gary Caldwell’s side last season, bagging 17 goals and registering nine assists in all competitions as the Grecians comfortably finished mid-table, 11 points clear of the drop zone.
It has been circulating on social media that Nombe has completed his move to The Valley, but Richard Cawley from the SLP has clarified that there has been no agreement between the two clubs as of yet.
The SLP further states that Exeter City are not desperate to sell the 24-year-old, having received a seven-figure fee less than two weeks ago when Welsh international Ethan Ampadu made the switch to Leeds United from Chelsea.
Exeter lining up a replacement?
Reports of Nombe’s imminent exit further spiralled early this morning when rumours began circulating by TheGrecianHub on Instagram that Exeter City had confirmed the return of Kieran Phillips from Huddersfield Town.
Phillips had spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Exeter, making 11 appearances in League Two, including six starts, scoring twice.
The youngster had played on the flanks for the first period of the campaign on loan at Walsall but Huddersfield saw his “long-term future as playing through the middle”, according to a statement released by the Terriers in January 2022.
Phillips spent the entirety of last season at League Two outfit Morecambe, making 20 appearances in England’s fourth division and scoring seven times – his best career return in men’s football to date.
Writer’s View
Being the Grecians’ top goalscorer last season, Sam Nombe would be a big loss for Exeter City and replacing his goal tally will be a tough ask for Caldwell in his managerial infancy.
However, as reported by the SLP, Exeter are in no rush to sell to Dean Holden’s side, hence why the club are playing hardball, holding out for a fee in excess of £1 million.
The biggest worry for supporters will be whether Phillips can replicate the excellent form of Nombe should he return to St James Park for the forthcoming campaign.
Two goals in his last stint at the club was not an encouraging return but the former Everton man will return as a more mature player this time around and may prove doubters wrong.
